The Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce has welcomed back a familiar face.
Makalia Records has returned to the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Director, taking over duties from Gloria Williams, who has left for a job with Gloucester County.
Records brings her five years of experience, and her drive to serve the county, back to the chamber to help keep Gloucester as great area for local business.
Five years ago, Records stepped away from the chamber to become a real estate agent and stay-at-home mom. Her two boys are now a bit older, one being a freshman at Gloucester High School and the other a freshman at Virginia Tech.
“As the boys got older, it was a natural decision to come back.” said Records. She said she missed the chamber, and when the opportunity presented itself to return, she, “felt that it was a wonderful chance to get back involved.”
Thanks to her prior experience, her return has been a bit like riding a bike. Five years is a long time, but as Records looks through old files, it all begins to feel familiar again. Even though the chamber has done a lot of growing in positive directions, Records has been able to jump right back in to grow along with the chamber and all the business it supports.
Records is very clear about the chamber’s goal. “Our vision is to be the prime Chamber of Commerce in the Tidewater area of Virginia, promoting and supporting the Gloucester County community and its businesses with the best information services and events,” she said.
Businesses do not have to wait long for the chamber’s next event. On Wednesday, there was a Growing Gloucester Forward breakfast at the American Legion. The event was hosted by the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, and cohosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Gloucester Department of Economic Development, Gloucester Main Street Association and Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust.
And on Feb. 8, the chamber will host its annual Mardi Gras Ball and Awards Reception at the Abingdon Ruritan Club building in Bena.
“As a chamber, we want to be your representative,” said Records. “We want to educate and promote your business.” She said she believes the more they can support local business, the more this community can succeed. The more she can work with local businesses, the more she gets to know the owners who help form the community.
Every business is open for a reason, and each have their own stories that make them unique, and Records said that she and the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce want to hear those stories, helping them continue to prosper.